Sea lions play "pufferball"with unfortunate fish
Sea lions have been observed playing a game called 'pufferball' using pufferfish, which inflate into a ball when threatened. This behavior may also involve the sea lions consuming the neurotoxin found in pufferfish, posing a risk to their health. While pufferfish are typically slow and easy targets, they are also covered in spikes and contain a potentially lethal toxin.
- ▪Sea lions play with pufferfish that inflate into balls when frightened.
- ▪Pufferfish contain a neurotoxin called tetrodotoxin, which can be lethal.
- ▪Dolphins have been known to interact with pufferfish for their psychoactive effects.
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Sea lions play "pufferball"with unfortunate fish Gail Sherman 11:40 am Mon May 25, 2026 Image: niall dunne/Shutterstock Sea lions are the adorable dogs of the ocean, but lacking balls to play with, they play with the next best thing — fish that turn into balls when threatened. Puffer fish inflate into a ball when frightened, much to the delight of sea lions, who use them in a game that has been dubbed "pufferball." Dolphins have been known to pester puffer fish to get high on their neurotoxin, and sea lions may also be partaking in the "puff, puff, pass" of the sea. If so, it's a dangerous game. Pufferball might be a risky game.
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